Hanoi’s CPI drops 0.22 percent in March

The consumer price index of Hanoi in March declined 0.22 percent over the
previous month but increased 2.7 percent over the same period last year.

Major reason for the
drop is a reduction in prices of three goods groups - food and catering
services; housing, electricity, fuel and construction materials; and
transportation.

Lower demand after the
traditional New Year festival in February and warmer weather with abundant
supply of farm produce pulled the prices of food and foodstuff down. Meanwhile,
lower gas prices also led to a fall in the prices of housing, electricity, fuel
and construction materials.

A fuel price cut also
made the price of transportation lower.

The average index in
the first three months of this year rose 2.54 percent over the same period last
year. An upturn was seen in 10 groups of goods and the only one experienced a
fall.-VNA